"to go forwards, advance, proceed, Mt. 26:39; Mk. 14:35; Acts 12:10; to precede, go before any one, Lk. 22:47; to precede in time, be a forerunner or precursor, Lk. 1:17; to outgo, outstrip in going, Mk. 6:33; to travel in advance of any one, precede, 20:5, 13; 2 Cor. 9:5*"
Definition and meaning
to go forwards, advance, proceed, Mt. 26:39; Mk. 14:35; Acts 12:10; to precede, go before any one, Lk. 22:47; to precede in time, be a forerunner or precursor, Lk. 1:17; to outgo, outstrip in going, Mk. 6:33; to travel in advance of any one, precede, 20:5, 13; 2 Cor. 9:5*
In the original Greek the word is written: προέρχομαι
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of proerchomai (G4281) across the King James Bible.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
These going before tarried for us at Troas.
And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
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Common questions
Strong's G4281 (proerchomai) is a Greek word that means: to go forwards, advance, proceed, Mt. 26:39; Mk. 14:35; Acts 12:10; to precede, go before any one, Lk. 22:47; to precede in time, be a forerunner or precursor, Lk. 1:17; to outgo, outstrip in going, M... It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word proerchomai (G4281) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4281 is proerchomai, a Greek word defined as: to go forwards, advance, proceed, Mt. 26:39; Mk. 14:35; Acts 12:10; to precede, go before any one, Lk. 22:47; to precede in time, be a forerunner or p. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
proerchomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.